Full Day Mixed Bag Fishing in Beaufort Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing adventure starting at 7 AMTarget diverse species with experienced professional guidesSmall group experience accommodating up to 3 guests
Looking for a fishing trip that keeps you guessing all day? Our full-day mixed bag charter out of Beaufort, NC is exactly what you need. Starting at 7 AM sharp, we'll spend the day hunting whatever's biting in these productive waters. With room for just three anglers, you get plenty of personal attention and space to work your lines without bumping elbows. This isn't your typical cookie-cutter charter – we adapt to what the fish are doing and chase the bite wherever it takes us.
This full-day adventure runs about 8-10 hours depending on how the fish are cooperating. We launch from Beaufort and work the flats, channels, and structure where different species hang out. The beauty of a mixed bag trip is variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're working a school of Spanish mackerel that just lit up the fish finder. Our experienced captains know these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish using proven local techniques. Bring your own snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, but trust me, you'll be too busy catching fish to think much about food. The boat comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle, though you're welcome to bring your favorite setup if you prefer.
We fish multiple techniques throughout the day to target different species effectively. For redfish, we'll use live bait on the flats and around oyster bars, often sight-casting with cut mullet or shrimp. When we find Spanish mackerel, we switch to small spoons, gotcha plugs, or live bait rigs that get down in the water column where they're feeding. Bluefish respond well to topwater action early and late in the day, plus they'll crush cut bait and metal lures when they're schooled up. Black drum require patience and the right presentation – we'll anchor up near structure and fish heavy tackle with crab or cut bait on the bottom. The captain will coach you through each technique and make sure you're using the right gear for whatever we're targeting. Most of our fishing happens in 3-15 feet of water, perfect for watching the action unfold.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Beaufort fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love our grass flats and oyster-lined creeks. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size 18-27 inchers up to hefty bull reds that'll test your drag system. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – they'll strip line and head straight for the nearest structure. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail.
Spanish mackerel show up in impressive numbers during warmer months, typically May through October. These silver bullets average 1-3 pounds but make up for size with incredible speed and acrobatic jumps. They travel in schools and when you find them, the action gets fast and furious. Their razor-sharp teeth require wire leaders, but they're aggressive feeders that will hit small lures and baits with authority. Spanish mackerel are also excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Bluefish are the ultimate opportunistic predators in these waters. They range from smaller "snapper blues" perfect for light tackle fun to chunky 5-8 pound choppers that can bend a rod in half. Blues are most active during spring and fall migrations, but resident fish provide action all summer. They're notorious for their feeding frenzies – when a school gets fired up, they'll hit anything that moves. Their sharp teeth and aggressive nature make every hookup exciting, and they fight hard right to the boat.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this mixed bag, with fish commonly reaching 20-40 pounds in Beaufort waters. These bottom-dwellers prefer deeper holes around bridges, jetties, and inlet mouths. They're most active in cooler months but can be caught year-round with the right approach. Black drum are powerful fighters that use their size and the current to their advantage. Landing a big drum requires patience and technique – they're masters at finding structure to wrap your line around. The satisfaction of bringing a trophy black drum to the boat is hard to beat.
A full-day mixed bag trip offers the perfect blend of variety, action, and flexibility that makes Beaufort fishing special. With only three spots available, you get personalized instruction and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to explore new techniques or someone wanting to experience the best of what these waters offer, this charter delivers. The combination of species diversity and our captain's local knowledge creates fishing memories that last long after you head home. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Book your mixed bag adventure today and get ready to see why Beaufort consistently ranks as one of the top inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Hit the waters around Beaufort aboard our reliable 2017 Seahunt 22-ft center console, built to handle whatever the coast throws at you. This nimble bay boat carries up to 3 anglers comfortably while the Yamaha 200HP pushes you to the hot spots fast. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently over shallow flats without spooking fish, while our fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. GPS keeps you on productive grounds and safely back to port. Whether you're working the grass beds for redfish, drifting for flounder, or chasing schools of Spanish mackerel, this versatile platform puts you right where the action is. The center console design gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of our inshore waters - strong, stubborn fighters that'll test your tackle. These grey-black fish range from 5-30 pounds, with the bigger ones putting up serious battles. We target them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in shallow brackish water. Spring brings the best action during spawning season when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds. Guests enjoy the challenge - they're tough to fool and tougher to land. Smaller ones under 15 pounds eat well, but the big ones are better released. Here's what works: fresh blue crab on the bottom. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so keep your bait down where they're looking.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that provide non-stop action when they're feeding. These blue-green fighters typically weigh 3-12 pounds and have mouths full of razor teeth that mean business. We target them around surf zones, inlets, and nearshore structure from spring through fall. They travel in schools, often creating feeding frenzies we call "bluefish blitz" - pure chaos on the water. What draws anglers? The explosive strikes and hard fights, plus smaller blues make decent table fare. They'll hit cut bait, spoons, or poppers with attitude. Fair warning: be careful handling them - those teeth can do serious damage. My go-to trick is using oily baits like menhaden chunks. When they're feeding, almost anything works.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular targets around Beaufort's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-30 inches and put up a solid fight with their powerful runs. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's nature's bullseye. We find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and around creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They'll eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs - and they taste great on the table with that mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing in skinny water, cast ahead of where they're moving, not right at them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes. These silvery rockets with yellow spots typically weigh 2-4 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. They school up in open water around structure, often feeding near the surface where you can spot the action. Summer and early fall bring the best fishing when water temps climb. We find them around jetties, piers, and offshore structure in 15-40 feet of water. Guests love the fast action - when you find a school, it's game on. They're also excellent eating with firm, flaky meat perfect for grilling. Here's the key: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Small spoons and live shrimp work magic.
Beaufort